HU comes up just short in home opener

November 15, 2013

A late surge proved too late, as Heidelberg dropped its home opener to Olivet College, 22-17.

In a tough match that saw Heidelberg get its first points when 133-pounder Colin McDermitt won a medical forfeit over the Comets' Robbie Bidlingmaier, Olivet was able to build a comfortable lead that proved insurmountable, even after HU won the last two matches by major decision.

Still, it was the first collegiate win for McDermitt.

"I would have liked to see Colin's match go further, but he got a win," Heidelberg coach Ned Shuck said in a release from the school's sports information department.

"We are expecting a lot of things out of him because of his ability to work, his talent level and his technique. He has the full package and we're expecting good things from him."

Olivet won the 125-pound match when Henry McKeown eked out an 8-7 decision over Ty Price. After McDermitt's win put HU up 6-3, Olivet's Justin Holm (141) tied things up with a 6-0 decision over Justin Kihn.

Olivet took the lead back when 149-pounder Gage Peterson scored an 11-5 decision over Damon Cheek, then added to it when Kyle Witgen (157) pinned Heidelberg's Aaron Banko in 6:44. That put Olivet up, 15-6.

Heidelberg got closer after the next match, when 165-pounder Jeremy Stepp scored a 3-1 decision over Dan Fleet. But the Comets rebounded to win the next two matches. Nick Allen, Olivet's 174 pounder, topped HU's Matt Shurina, 6-0, then 184-pounder Jeff Holm scored an 8-0 major decision over Richard Dowdley.

That gave the Comets a commanding 22-9 advantage, one that clinched the match.

Still, Heidelberg got some momentum. Jason Russell, the Student Princes' 197-pounder, knocked off Andrew Simpson, 9-1. That was followed by Heidelberg heavyweight Nino Majoy scoring a 10-1 major decision over the Comets' Ryan Steverson.

"I'm really happy with Jason Russell getting a major decision and Nino Majoy for putting things together and getting a major as well," Shuck said. "I'm impressed by those guys because they went out there, gave it all they had and continued to score points."

Heidelberg will be back Tuesday at Seiberling Gymnasium, when it squares off with the College of Mount St. Joseph.